Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-05-17
SPORTING MATTERS.
Octy Cohen's Comments on the Ford
Controversy.

|
New YORK, May7.
| After all OF the talk and betting INDUCED
IN as TO what would be the outcome of the
trial ofAu Round Champion Athlete Malcolm
w. Ford, | find that the decision of the
! national board, declaring him guilty of
having participated in professional races.
| etc, at Springfield, under an assumed name.
| and making him forever ineligible to eptrr in
amateur competitions, is not sustained by the
amateur ana professional sporting world
with the unanimity that the board doubtless
anticipated On the contrary, many persons
assert that the animus running all through
the case has been so apparent and poorly con.
eealed that no other verdict could have been
expected. must admit That this view of tbe
case seems to be worthy Of considerable
credence, with, of course, the usual allow
auces for parti an eXaggeration.
a*.s
The story, as told by Ford's friends is IN
brief, as follows: When johnson was engaged
as trainer of the Brooklyn Athletic club he
professed to be first class, all round pro.
fessiona athlete. Ford, who was the cant.iu
of the club, was the recognized amateur
champion, and it is charged that johnson first
became jealous of Ford when the latter. as
alleged, expressed the opinion that, were he a
professional. he could easily defeat johnson
III an all round competition. From that time
on johnson was ever on the lookout for an
opportunity to queer" Ford as an amateur
In the Springfield episode be thought he saw
his opportunity and at once caused CHARGES 10
be preferred against lin. As johnson had
previously taken the precaution to make him
sell solid With the members of the Brooklvn
Athletic club, and as Ford also immediately
lett that association and joined the New Yorl,
Athletic club, the Rrooklyns very naturally
TOOK sides with johnson against him: hence
the ealnestness and even spite with which this
case has been pushed.
-.
But, according to these friends 7 ,hnsop
has overreacaed himself, for they win now
they say, produce the man WHO really did
compete at Springfield, and who has baen
kept in the background by them in anticino-
tioh OF just such denouement as the present
one. Ford asserts that he will never comnata
as professional, and will consequently TO-
more the challenge which johnson has ;ss,ed
10 ann. But We're he TO change his mind and
to enter the lists against Johnson
the latter, in my humble opinion. would Lo
defeated signally. There is another noint
and a good one too, which Ford,s friend,
urge in his behalf, which is that it certan,l,
seems significant that the committee w;,h.
held It's report until after the amateur had
retired, although they knew for weeks nra-
viously of his intention to do so no matter
what the finding might be- The better oI,su
Of amateurs seem to be of the opinion that If
professionals should be Stunned. johnson
should not have been accorded the promi-
hence III the case which he has had from bo-
ginning to end. The matter is not vet set-
lied by any means despite the efforts of
fofd's enemies to hush it up
~
, now happens 1t that no one scarcely has
IhoushI OF Biscuit for the Suburban handi-
,ap' ne showed up last year in several
.aces 70 cxceiient advantage, and it would
seem that he should be entitled to soma co.,
Sideration. do not, by any means. wish IN
assert that lie viii win it, for do not Int I
10 contend that lie Is worth following 10
limited extent when odds of 100 To | can ha
lad against him in this city. For instance
IN Investment of $50 might Il say alnipbtr,
weld profit of s., 800, and ne is certaiSiy y
good animal to win if anytbina
should occur to a few Of thee |
cracks" and under any circumstances
hink he will not be very far from the winner
u the finish, ii he starts, which now seems !
probable - 'senIs
The Detroits are not being laughed Mt nv
he critics %, who, before the opening of the |
eason, We're willing to accord them the third |
" fourth place, but no better [ know IL will |
We saii that they also got a big lead last vea,.
mi sun lost the pennant, but they will NOT |
ave the old Chicagos to fiqht Datroit il |
ny sure tsp for the League PEN ant for 1857. |
(lrFy